“It’s exciting not knowing what the future holds” – George Russell has expectedly avoided confirming the inevitability of him replacing Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next season.
The contracts of both Valtteri Bottas and George Russell expire after this season, with Mercedes and Williams, respectively. With the latter impressing with the bottom-ranked team, it won’t be long before the Mercedes junior becomes a senior. But he is in no mood to confirm this, instead deciding to “enjoying the curiosity”.
“Obviously, I’m aware of all of the speculation but I think right now [I’m] just enjoying driving race by race. Obviously, I want to get my future nailed down at some point but right now I’m just focused on this weekend, the French Grand Prix into Austria.
“The summer break is usually when these things happen. For most people, the summer break is where you sort of get things set in stone. So for me, just focused, race by race and just enjoying, I guess, the curiosity of what is to come.
Sometimes it’s exciting not knowing what the future holds.
Latest on @GeorgeRussell63‘s future, from the man himself! #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/lhGE5WnUhG
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 17, 2021
Russell congratulates fellow Merc junior Esteban Ocon
Despite strong suggestions that Pierre Gasly could replace compatriot Esteban Ocon in Alpine next season, the French team confirmed Ocon for three more seasons. Russell expressed happiness with it, denying this means he has one less competition to join Mercedes next season.
“Firstly, congrats to Esteban. He deserves that and it’s obviously great for Mercedes as well that one of their drivers has their career set in stone and sorted.
“But no, I haven’t really thought about that. Esteban has obviously been at Renault and Alpine for the last couple of years and with his speed and his nationality and everything, it’s a great fit at Alpine.
“Nothing has crossed my mind other than I’m happy for him and it’s good to see that after a year out as well, that he has got things all stable and settled for the next three and a half years.”
